Today, Otsuka Canada Pharmaceutical Inc. announced that Jinarc (tolvaptan), is now commercially available for use in Canada. Jinarc is indicated to slow the progression of kidney enlargement in adults with autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD).

"ADPKD can have a significant impact on a person’s health and quality of life, and often afflicts many individuals in a family across the generations. Ultimately it leads to kidney failure and the need for kidney transplant or dialysis in most people affected by the disease,” says Dr. Phil McFarlane, nephrologist from Toronto. “With the availability of Jinarc, Canadians living with ADPKD and the clinicians who care for them now have an option that can potentially slow cyst growth, delay disease progression, and improve symptom control.”

Approximately, half of polycystic kidney disease (PKD) patients reach end stage renal disease (ESRD) and require renal replacement therapy in the form of dialysis or a kidney transplant by age 54.1 According to a recent Canadian survey, the majority of ADPKD patients say the disease has impacted their ability to: complete everyday activities, such as working or spending time with family (66 per cent); travel and go on vacation (58 per cent); and lead a healthy and active lifestyle (56 per cent). Furthermore, on average, two-thirds (67 per cent) of ADPKD patients have other family members who have been diagnosed with the disease.

For more details, go to: http://otsukacanada.com/about/news/news-detail/2015/06/03/now-available-in-canada-first-ever-treatment-for-adults-living-with-a-life-threatening-kidney-disease-(adpkd)